Things to Know for
Thursday, February 10

Here are seven things you need to know for Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. They include the appointment of a permanent superintendent, information about the school well-being, safety and security review, an antiracist audit update, information about COVID-19 rapid take-home test kits and more.

  1. Board of Education Appoints Next Superintendent, in a Historic Announcement
    Dr. Monifa B. McKnight was named permanent superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools on Tuesday, Feb. 8. She is the first woman and second African-American to lead the school district. Dr. McKnight will move from her interim position into the permanent role as MCPS superintendent as of July 1, 2022. She has 23 years experience as a public school educator and administrator, the vast majority of which have been in MCPS.

  2. Read Dr. McKnight’s message to the community.

  3. No MCPS Schools Entering 10-Day Virtual Learning Period
    No additional schools will  transition to virtual learning next week. MCPS will continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 and  school operations on in-person learning and, if necessary, identify schools for temporary virtual learning.

  4. MCPS Conducting Thorough Review of Well-Being, Safety and Security in All Schools
    In recent weeks, district staff have engaged numerous key stakeholders to inform this work and have also presented to the Board of Education and Montgomery County Council in public meetings. The four key areas of focus include: 

    • Mental Health and Social-Emotional Well-Being
    • Creating Safe and Equitable School Environments
    • Safety, Security, and Community Engagement Officer Program Enhancements
    • Joint Incident Command Framework

    The workgroup will bring proposals for discussion and consideration to the Board of Education meeting on Feb. 24.

    Stakeholders guiding this work include:

    • High school principals and current Community Engagement Officers
    • Middle school principal cabinet & elementary leadership from administrator employee association
    • 230 students from all middle and high schools
    • Already established advisory groups: Reimagining School Safety and Students Well-Being (RSSSW) Steering Committee and the Student Well-being Action Group (SWAG), which include community representatives
    • Employee association representatives (MCAAP, MCEA, SEIU), including association leadership
    • Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services staff and Montgomery County Police Department representatives

    Read more.

  5. Antiracist Audit Survey: More Information
    On Feb. 2, Dr. McKnight shared this update on the ongoing work and commitment to address racial and systemic barriers in the school district. An update was sent to families to provide more information about what to expect for the upcoming surveys. 

  6. COVID-19 At-Home Rapid Tests Being Distributed
    MCPS will distribute 190,000 rapid test kits to all students and staff.  These rapid test kits will be distributed through March, starting with 50,000 test kits that will be sent home during February. Staff and parents of students are reminded to report positive results through the MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Tool.

  7. Board of Education Receives MCPS Operations Update
    At its Feb. 8 meeting, board members heard from MCPS staff who shared updates around COVID-19 impacts. Positive COVID-19 cases across the district have dropped significantly.  The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is now providing case investigators to provide COVID-19 follow-up for MCPS students and staff. MCPS has hired more substitutes and is seeing fewer unfilled substitute positions. MCPS has served all bus routes since January 21, 2022.

  8. Spectator Limitations Adjusted at MCPS Extracurricular Events
    Spectator limitations were adjusted from 25 percent of facility capacity to 50 percent of facility capacity for all indoor extracurricular events. They remain at that level. Masks are still required inside all MCPS schools and facilities. Review COVID-19 athletics information at this website. You may also refer to the Return to R.A.I.S.E. Athletics newsletter.


    Montgomery County Public Schools



Email us: ASKMCPS@mcpsmd.org

Montgomery County Public Schools